Flashlights offer a myriad of uses. These include providing light when there is a blackout, saving people during a fire breakout, light-dark paths, and alleys, and also disorient assailants when attacked. These are some of the flashlights uses among many others. With different types of flashlights on the market, it is crucial to ensure that you have the best. A good number of flashlights functions with LED bulbs while others have incandescent bulbs.
Summary of Contents
Features Details: LED vs Incandescent Flashlight
Features |
LED |
Incandescent |
| Brightness: | 100 lumens | 17 lumens |
| Battery Life: | longer | shorter |
| Bulb Life: | a lifetime of more than 50, 000 hours | run for weeks or some even for months |
| Ability to light in bad weather: | can be used in fog, smoke, dust, or any other condition | not able to light well in such tough conditions |
| Price: | Average | Lower |
Today’s flashlights are compact, very bright, and can run for longer hours. This has all been made possible with the introduction of high-end LED bulbs. There are various factors that differentiate the LED and Incandescent bulbs which are as follows:
Bulb life
LED bulbs are more durable than incandescent bulbs. These tiny powerful bulbs are made of a solid piece of plastic. They also last longer with hundreds or even thousands of hours. Actually, some LED bulbs have a lifetime of more than 50, 000 hours. In addition to this, these bulbs are shock-resistant. Even if you drop the torch on the floor, the bulb will still remain intact and the only way to damage the LED is when you destroy the flashlight’s housing.
On the other hand, Incandescent lights are less durable and have a shorter lifespan. Most of the incandescent bulbs can run for weeks or some even for months, unlike LED bulbs which can function for years. Furthermore, incandescent bulbs are more susceptible to shock. When dropped on the floor, the hot filament in incandescent bulbs can easily get damaged.
Brightness
LED bulbs have gotten better in all aspects of lighting. Currently, LED bulbs are brighter than incandescent bulbs. For instance, an average incandescent bulb will produce 17 lumens while the same LED will produce 100 lumens. But before you conclude, you should know that not all LEDs are the same. Some incandescent bulbs are actually brighter than LED bulbs. Look for brighter and powerful LEDs. But generally, LED bulbs provide a brighter light than incandescent bulbs. Also, incandescent bulbs normally produce less light as they age.
Battery life
When it comes to battery use, LED lights can run for long compared to incandescent bulbs. Since LED draws less when compared to incandescent bulbs, they can run for several hours on the same set of batteries. Incandescent bulbs start to fade away quickly after a few hours of use. The major cause of this power drain on batteries is because incandescent lights are less efficient with more than 95% of their energy being converted into heat instead of visible light.
Ability to light in bad weather
Where there is fog, smoke, dust, or any other condition, LED bulbs will still offer you enough light to see where you are going. This is the reason why they are used in fire rescues. Incandescent bulbs are not able to light well in such tough conditions and they come short. Actually, when you use incandescent lights in a smoky area or where there is dust, you won’t be able to see clearly.
Which one is better? LED vs Incandescent Flashlight?
With these comparisons, you can be able to tell that LED bulbs are more powerful and reliable than incandescent bulbs. Even though the initial price of buying an incandescent bulb might be lower than that of an LED bulb, generally, Led bulbs offer the best features. From running for long hours, having a brighter light, and having durable bulbs, LED bulbs are the best to use.
That’s why they are usually installed in tactical LED lights which are great for outdoor use such as hunting, fishing, hiking, and much more. But if you want a torch for short use, then you can go for the incandescent type of bulb.
